Split and Strike
by DoomaWriter
Author's notes: Wow, you guys really came through with the reviews! I am thankful to all of you who took the time to tell me what you think And to stay true to my words, here's the next chapter, earlier than planned.
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Chapter 2: Why Them!? The Teams Have Been Decided.
---
Most of the young ninjas looked from one to another as if they would find one among them with a clue as to what was going on. Sasuke, who was on the farthest left, turned his head to peer down the row. Though he remained calm on the outside, there were a few people who he wouldn't mind being teamed up with. 'A chance to see the strongest fighters in action.' he thought. 'It'd be interesting to be paired up with Lee or that Neiji.'
Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted as he saw Sakura's hand go up, and a somewhat stern look on her face. "Why must we be split up like this? What's the point?" There was a hint of distress in her voice.
"Good question," Kakashi said. Turning his attention to the twelve, he added, "As you know, as a ninja, you'll be going on a variety of missions. Yet, it'll be rare that you'll be able to pick who you're partnered up with. You won't have the luxury of getting to know your teammate and all of his techniques. Sometimes you may be paired up with someone who's a lot better than you..."
Upon hearing these words, quite a few genins glanced quickly at Sasuke, Neiji, or Lee. Meanwhile, those three kept their focus on Kakashi who continued to say, "and sometimes your partner can be a complete idiot." Upon hearing those words, Naruto grinned and directed his attention to Sasuke but was alarmed to see the Uchiha smiling and glancing right back at him with a smug look of superiority.
Sensing the loudmouth ninja was about to explode, Sasuke said, "Don't get angry at me, look around." Naruto did so and found ten more stares dropped on him. Growing angry, Naruto faced Kakashi again, noticing the jounin's eye quickly moving up as if he had been staring with the kids as well.
"So," Kakashi continued to break the awkward moment, "this unique from of training will help prepare you for the chance of such a situation."
"But for a whole month!?" Sakura complained.
"You never know when you'll be stuck with no clear way out for an extended period of time. This will also help for such a situation. So, is everything clear?"
Naruto nodded his head confidently while in the inside he had no clue what was going on. The explanation was too long. It was probably best for him to just pretend that he did and have Sakura explain it to him again later.
Gai couldn't help but smile. 'Very clever,' he thought. 'If I hadn't listened to the plan, I would've believed that speech as well, my rival.'
"You will all form a line," Kurenai said, signaling that Kakashi was finished, "and reach into this box." She moved her hand to the four foot box which stood beside her. "There are twelve balls, pick one and return to your spot. Which one you pick will determine who's on your team."
As the students stepped forward, one by one they felt themselves being shoved out of the way. Naruto had rushed to the front of the line, bumping several to do so. Especially Sasuke who had his hand inside the box when Naruto had eagerly pushed him out of balance and to the floor. The blonde placed his hand into the box and began searching anxiously, unaware of the many angry genins behind him. His arm moved back and forth into the slot that was just big enough to fit a small arm through.
"All of them are pretty much the same," Kurenai told him. "There's no need to pick so carefully."
"I have to get the best one," Naruto replied. "The one that was made for me!"
"But they're all exactly the sa-"
"FOUND IT!" Naruto exclaimed. He pulled out his arm and looked to see what his number was. "Hey! What is this?!" Showing the ball to Kakashi, he asked, "Why isn't there a number on this one!?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Kakashi said calmly. "Now return and wait for the others."
---
Shikamaru was the last to pull out his blank sphere. Rushing was just a waste of energy to him. This time, Asuma stepped up to speak, moving his cigarette from his mouth and stroking his beard. "To keep the teams a mystery to the very end, we've hidden them with our own chakra. I've hidden three, Kurenai-sensei hidden three, and the same with Gai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei. We will now remove our chakra one by one, revealing your new teams. First off is Kakashi's team. So if you will, Kakashi-sensei..."
"Hmm?" Kakashi looked up. He had spent his time waiting by taking out his favorite book and reading it, crouched down. Not bothering to stand up or take his eyes off of his literature, he raised a hand with his index and middle fingers up. With a slight release of chakra, the number one appeared on one of the balls. "Number one, step up."
With a smirk, the first of the chosen ones stepped up and raised the ball so Asuma could read the number clearly. The teacher nodded and wrote the name on the board. "Number one...Uchiha Sasuke."
All the students turned toward him in surprise, three of which immediately placed their hands together and started praying to be teamed up with him. Naruto looked at Sakura and saw her eyes closed and hands tightly together. "Hey, Sakura-chan..." he began, but his words were ignored. He sighed and thought, 'Always Sasuke....'
Choji stopped throwing chips into his mouth and turned to Ino and thought what a disgrace it was, to be acting so desperately in public. But to his surprise, he turned to his other side to see Shikamaru doing the same thing. "Shikamaru?"
"Don't be so shocked," Shikamaru replied. "Whoever's paired up with that elite genin won't have to worry about working so hard. He'll probably carry the whole team."
'Right off the bat, huh?' Sasuke thought seriously. 'Well someone had to be first. Now, if only I can get some strong ninjas chosen as my partners.'
Kakashi flipped a page and then returned his hand up and soon the second number was uncovered. "Ya-hoo! LUCKY! We've hit the jackpot, didn't we!?" The loud voice was followed by agreeing yips.
"Number two," Asuma said as he wrote. "Inuzuka Kiba..." Hearing a few angry barks and then growling, Asuma said, "I mean, Kiba and Akamaru."
Ino and Sakura stared at the blank section under "3" on the board and then continued to pray even harder. So much that the people closest to them could actually feel their chakra growing and took a few steps back. With another move, Kakashi revealed the last member of the first team. "YATTA!! I'm with Sasuke-kun! Yes!"
Sakura looked in horror as "Yamanaka Ino" was written in the last slot of the new Kakashi team. She stood hunched over with a perpetual look of ultimate despair on her face. Inner Sakura gave the exact same look. Wanting to cheer her up, Naruto reached for her shoulder but felt his hand being grabbed.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Sasuke told him. Moments later, Sasuke felt his other arm being pulled and found himself being forced away from his group. He looked back to see Ino with a big smile on her face.
"You're on my team now, Sasuke-kun!" she said. "No need to be talking to nobodies with big foreheads." Then, Ino spoke to Sakura as if she didn't notice the pink-haired ninja was standing there. "Sakura-chan, did you hear? I'm on the same team as Sasuke-kun. Oops, I guess you were there when it happened, weren't you?" She then let out a hearty cackle.
"INO-PIG!!" Sakura yelled, snapping back to reality and scaring half of the kids while doing so. "Get your hands off of Sasuke-kun or I'll rip them off!!" Inner Sakura lifted her fist and agreed, 'Shaanaro!'
Still in their spots, Choji and Shikamaru stood looking on at the shameless display. "Geez," Shikamaru began. "Didn't even remember about us. There goes our InoShikaCho. This sucks."
'Great' Sasuke thought to himself while still in Ino's clutches. 'Two losers.'
"I will be the instructor of the second team," Asuma said, hoping to silence the mayhem. He gave the same hand seal and soon the fourth genin was exposed. "Step forward, Number 4." He saw a hand being raised and then scribbled the name. "Number 4...Haruno Sakura."
"It doesn't matter who's on my team," Sakura told herself, "...now that I've lost Sasuke-kun."
Asuma revealed the fifth ball and the chosen genin instantly stepped forward, full of confidence. Before Asuma could announce it, the picked student yelled it out for him. "Number 5 is the graceful genin in green: Rock Lee!"
Swiftly spinning around, Sakura saw that it was true. Lee was now holding a ball with the number five. Actually, he was holding it straight at her and giving a smile which glinted. She shuddered. "Figures," Sakura said, holding back a tear.
The last member of their team stepped up and showed their ball as proof. It was Tenten. Asuma nodded and wrote her name on the board, completing his team.
"Now we'll find out who's on my new team," Kurenai said as she revealed the next student.
"I see," Asuma said. "Number 7, Hyuga Neiji." Sasuke's eyes focused on him. Who'd be on his team?...Not Naruto!
After a few moments, Asuma-sensei turned to Kurenai. "Show us the eighth now," he said.
"I already did my part," she explained. "I don't know why they're not coming up."
"Number eight is right here," Shikamaru said in a somewhat irritated manner. Apparently speaking was too much of a hassle. Especially if he wasn't talking for himself. "Stop eating for a second and speak up for yourself, would you?"
Choji looked at his orb witch now had the number eight as well as grease from his fingers. "Oh, was there always a number here?"
"What? Don't tell me you weren't paying attention to anything!" Shikamaru whined.
Clearing his throat, Asuma wrote down the name and said, "Number eight, Akimichi Choji." Neiji didn't bother to even glance at the weakling.
The last picked member of the team held their hand up a bit slowly. Kurenai gave a comforting smile to the familiar face. Asuma said, "Number 9, Hyuga Hinata."
Naruto, who was growing very impatient of the waiting, peered over to Hinata with his usual closed-eyed glance. When she noticed him, she turned away and looked at her fingers in front of her. Naruto couldn't help but notice that she looked a little upset about something. Of course, what it could be was beyond him.
However, there was another looking at Hinata. Neiji had been staring at her since the name was called. It was obvious that he was angry. Very obvious. It looked like destiny had a sense of humor.
"Well, no need to waste any time calling out numbers," Gai said displaying his seal. The last three genin's numbers appeared as Asuma finished writing the team members.
" Gai's team: Number 10, Aburame Shino. Number 11, Nara Shikamaru, and the Number 12, Uzumaki Naruto."
"Hey," Naruto said, looking at his ball. "How'd he know who was on the last team?"
"Baka," Shikamaru responded. "We're the only one's left." Glancing upon Naruto's number, Shikamaru smiled and said, "So you're dead last? I guess that number really was made for you." Naruto gave a stare of death and as he opened his mouth to argue, Shikamaru added, "I wanted a good partner like Sasuke and I end up with such a bothersome person like you? This sucks."
"The teams have been decided," Kakashi said, closing his book to give his full attention. "Return the balls to the bin and you may go. Take the rest of the day off to get acquainted with your new partners..or in some cases, hide from them."
"We're going to get real acquainted, right Sasuke-kun?" Ino said as she grabbed the reluctant Sasuke's arm. Kiba kept trying to remind her that he was her new partner as well but there was no reaching her. He just frowned as Akamaru tried to lift his spirits by licking his master's forehead.
One by one the students left, which showed their reluctance to stick with their new team members. As Tenten reached the doorway, she looked back to notice Lee had stayed behind. Knowing where this was going, she just shook her head and left. Lee stood, staring at Gai with wide eyes. "Gai- sensei...." he said weakly as tears began to flow.
"Don't worry, Lee," Gai said as he began to tear up as well. "We must part ways now, but soon we shall be reunited and we'll find ourselves even stronger than before!"
"Gai-sensei!" Lee said, wiping his face with the back of his hands. Finally he embraced his dear teacher in front of an imaginary sunset. The clouds turned orange as a wide ocean crashed upon the rock they stood upon. But back in reality, the other three Jounins were exchanging confused looks between one another. "Good-bye....Gai-sensei!!"
"Until we meet again...my Lee!"
---
"So do you expect they know?" Kurenai asked as Kakashi picked up one of the spheres. "Were we really able to pull it off?"
"I don't think they suspect anything," Kakashi answered, examining the object. He looked as the number "12" on the ball vanished in a puff of smoke. "No, they probably think that they were actually paired up randomly."
"Quite a few interesting teams, wouldn't you say?" Asuma said, looking from one to the other. The other teachers made slight noises from under clenched mouths before finally bursting out in laughter. A few grabbed their sides while others tried to balance themselves on the box in the room. Asuma removed his cigarette after nearly choking.
"All that garbage you said to convince them this was necessary!" Kurenai said, wiping away a tear from all the laughing. "You're terrible, Kakashi."
After regaining his composure, Kakashi stretched his arms and then placed them in his pockets. He said, "This is going to be an interesting month indeed."
---
Author's notes: Wow, you guys really came through with the reviews! I am thankful to all of you who took the time to tell me what you think And to stay true to my words, here's the next chapter, earlier than planned.
---
Chapter 2: Why Them!? The Teams Have Been Decided.
---
Most of the young ninjas looked from one to another as if they would find one among them with a clue as to what was going on. Sasuke, who was on the farthest left, turned his head to peer down the row. Though he remained calm on the outside, there were a few people who he wouldn't mind being teamed up with. 'A chance to see the strongest fighters in action.' he thought. 'It'd be interesting to be paired up with Lee or that Neiji.'
Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted as he saw Sakura's hand go up, and a somewhat stern look on her face. "Why must we be split up like this? What's the point?" There was a hint of distress in her voice.
"Good question," Kakashi said. Turning his attention to the twelve, he added, "As you know, as a ninja, you'll be going on a variety of missions. Yet, it'll be rare that you'll be able to pick who you're partnered up with. You won't have the luxury of getting to know your teammate and all of his techniques. Sometimes you may be paired up with someone who's a lot better than you..."
Upon hearing these words, quite a few genins glanced quickly at Sasuke, Neiji, or Lee. Meanwhile, those three kept their focus on Kakashi who continued to say, "and sometimes your partner can be a complete idiot." Upon hearing those words, Naruto grinned and directed his attention to Sasuke but was alarmed to see the Uchiha smiling and glancing right back at him with a smug look of superiority.
Sensing the loudmouth ninja was about to explode, Sasuke said, "Don't get angry at me, look around." Naruto did so and found ten more stares dropped on him. Growing angry, Naruto faced Kakashi again, noticing the jounin's eye quickly moving up as if he had been staring with the kids as well.
"So," Kakashi continued to break the awkward moment, "this unique from of training will help prepare you for the chance of such a situation."
"But for a whole month!?" Sakura complained.
"You never know when you'll be stuck with no clear way out for an extended period of time. This will also help for such a situation. So, is everything clear?"
Naruto nodded his head confidently while in the inside he had no clue what was going on. The explanation was too long. It was probably best for him to just pretend that he did and have Sakura explain it to him again later.
Gai couldn't help but smile. 'Very clever,' he thought. 'If I hadn't listened to the plan, I would've believed that speech as well, my rival.'
"You will all form a line," Kurenai said, signaling that Kakashi was finished, "and reach into this box." She moved her hand to the four foot box which stood beside her. "There are twelve balls, pick one and return to your spot. Which one you pick will determine who's on your team."
As the students stepped forward, one by one they felt themselves being shoved out of the way. Naruto had rushed to the front of the line, bumping several to do so. Especially Sasuke who had his hand inside the box when Naruto had eagerly pushed him out of balance and to the floor. The blonde placed his hand into the box and began searching anxiously, unaware of the many angry genins behind him. His arm moved back and forth into the slot that was just big enough to fit a small arm through.
"All of them are pretty much the same," Kurenai told him. "There's no need to pick so carefully."
"I have to get the best one," Naruto replied. "The one that was made for me!"
"But they're all exactly the sa-"
"FOUND IT!" Naruto exclaimed. He pulled out his arm and looked to see what his number was. "Hey! What is this?!" Showing the ball to Kakashi, he asked, "Why isn't there a number on this one!?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Kakashi said calmly. "Now return and wait for the others."
---
Shikamaru was the last to pull out his blank sphere. Rushing was just a waste of energy to him. This time, Asuma stepped up to speak, moving his cigarette from his mouth and stroking his beard. "To keep the teams a mystery to the very end, we've hidden them with our own chakra. I've hidden three, Kurenai-sensei hidden three, and the same with Gai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei. We will now remove our chakra one by one, revealing your new teams. First off is Kakashi's team. So if you will, Kakashi-sensei..."
"Hmm?" Kakashi looked up. He had spent his time waiting by taking out his favorite book and reading it, crouched down. Not bothering to stand up or take his eyes off of his literature, he raised a hand with his index and middle fingers up. With a slight release of chakra, the number one appeared on one of the balls. "Number one, step up."
With a smirk, the first of the chosen ones stepped up and raised the ball so Asuma could read the number clearly. The teacher nodded and wrote the name on the board. "Number one...Uchiha Sasuke."
All the students turned toward him in surprise, three of which immediately placed their hands together and started praying to be teamed up with him. Naruto looked at Sakura and saw her eyes closed and hands tightly together. "Hey, Sakura-chan..." he began, but his words were ignored. He sighed and thought, 'Always Sasuke....'
Choji stopped throwing chips into his mouth and turned to Ino and thought what a disgrace it was, to be acting so desperately in public. But to his surprise, he turned to his other side to see Shikamaru doing the same thing. "Shikamaru?"
"Don't be so shocked," Shikamaru replied. "Whoever's paired up with that elite genin won't have to worry about working so hard. He'll probably carry the whole team."
'Right off the bat, huh?' Sasuke thought seriously. 'Well someone had to be first. Now, if only I can get some strong ninjas chosen as my partners.'
Kakashi flipped a page and then returned his hand up and soon the second number was uncovered. "Ya-hoo! LUCKY! We've hit the jackpot, didn't we!?" The loud voice was followed by agreeing yips.
"Number two," Asuma said as he wrote. "Inuzuka Kiba..." Hearing a few angry barks and then growling, Asuma said, "I mean, Kiba and Akamaru."
Ino and Sakura stared at the blank section under "3" on the board and then continued to pray even harder. So much that the people closest to them could actually feel their chakra growing and took a few steps back. With another move, Kakashi revealed the last member of the first team. "YATTA!! I'm with Sasuke-kun! Yes!"
Sakura looked in horror as "Yamanaka Ino" was written in the last slot of the new Kakashi team. She stood hunched over with a perpetual look of ultimate despair on her face. Inner Sakura gave the exact same look. Wanting to cheer her up, Naruto reached for her shoulder but felt his hand being grabbed.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Sasuke told him. Moments later, Sasuke felt his other arm being pulled and found himself being forced away from his group. He looked back to see Ino with a big smile on her face.
"You're on my team now, Sasuke-kun!" she said. "No need to be talking to nobodies with big foreheads." Then, Ino spoke to Sakura as if she didn't notice the pink-haired ninja was standing there. "Sakura-chan, did you hear? I'm on the same team as Sasuke-kun. Oops, I guess you were there when it happened, weren't you?" She then let out a hearty cackle.
"INO-PIG!!" Sakura yelled, snapping back to reality and scaring half of the kids while doing so. "Get your hands off of Sasuke-kun or I'll rip them off!!" Inner Sakura lifted her fist and agreed, 'Shaanaro!'
Still in their spots, Choji and Shikamaru stood looking on at the shameless display. "Geez," Shikamaru began. "Didn't even remember about us. There goes our InoShikaCho. This sucks."
'Great' Sasuke thought to himself while still in Ino's clutches. 'Two losers.'
"I will be the instructor of the second team," Asuma said, hoping to silence the mayhem. He gave the same hand seal and soon the fourth genin was exposed. "Step forward, Number 4." He saw a hand being raised and then scribbled the name. "Number 4...Haruno Sakura."
"It doesn't matter who's on my team," Sakura told herself, "...now that I've lost Sasuke-kun."
Asuma revealed the fifth ball and the chosen genin instantly stepped forward, full of confidence. Before Asuma could announce it, the picked student yelled it out for him. "Number 5 is the graceful genin in green: Rock Lee!"
Swiftly spinning around, Sakura saw that it was true. Lee was now holding a ball with the number five. Actually, he was holding it straight at her and giving a smile which glinted. She shuddered. "Figures," Sakura said, holding back a tear.
The last member of their team stepped up and showed their ball as proof. It was Tenten. Asuma nodded and wrote her name on the board, completing his team.
"Now we'll find out who's on my new team," Kurenai said as she revealed the next student.
"I see," Asuma said. "Number 7, Hyuga Neiji." Sasuke's eyes focused on him. Who'd be on his team?...Not Naruto!
After a few moments, Asuma-sensei turned to Kurenai. "Show us the eighth now," he said.
"I already did my part," she explained. "I don't know why they're not coming up."
"Number eight is right here," Shikamaru said in a somewhat irritated manner. Apparently speaking was too much of a hassle. Especially if he wasn't talking for himself. "Stop eating for a second and speak up for yourself, would you?"
Choji looked at his orb witch now had the number eight as well as grease from his fingers. "Oh, was there always a number here?"
"What? Don't tell me you weren't paying attention to anything!" Shikamaru whined.
Clearing his throat, Asuma wrote down the name and said, "Number eight, Akimichi Choji." Neiji didn't bother to even glance at the weakling.
The last picked member of the team held their hand up a bit slowly. Kurenai gave a comforting smile to the familiar face. Asuma said, "Number 9, Hyuga Hinata."
Naruto, who was growing very impatient of the waiting, peered over to Hinata with his usual closed-eyed glance. When she noticed him, she turned away and looked at her fingers in front of her. Naruto couldn't help but notice that she looked a little upset about something. Of course, what it could be was beyond him.
However, there was another looking at Hinata. Neiji had been staring at her since the name was called. It was obvious that he was angry. Very obvious. It looked like destiny had a sense of humor.
"Well, no need to waste any time calling out numbers," Gai said displaying his seal. The last three genin's numbers appeared as Asuma finished writing the team members.
" Gai's team: Number 10, Aburame Shino. Number 11, Nara Shikamaru, and the Number 12, Uzumaki Naruto."
"Hey," Naruto said, looking at his ball. "How'd he know who was on the last team?"
"Baka," Shikamaru responded. "We're the only one's left." Glancing upon Naruto's number, Shikamaru smiled and said, "So you're dead last? I guess that number really was made for you." Naruto gave a stare of death and as he opened his mouth to argue, Shikamaru added, "I wanted a good partner like Sasuke and I end up with such a bothersome person like you? This sucks."
"The teams have been decided," Kakashi said, closing his book to give his full attention. "Return the balls to the bin and you may go. Take the rest of the day off to get acquainted with your new partners..or in some cases, hide from them."
"We're going to get real acquainted, right Sasuke-kun?" Ino said as she grabbed the reluctant Sasuke's arm. Kiba kept trying to remind her that he was her new partner as well but there was no reaching her. He just frowned as Akamaru tried to lift his spirits by licking his master's forehead.
One by one the students left, which showed their reluctance to stick with their new team members. As Tenten reached the doorway, she looked back to notice Lee had stayed behind. Knowing where this was going, she just shook her head and left. Lee stood, staring at Gai with wide eyes. "Gai- sensei...." he said weakly as tears began to flow.
"Don't worry, Lee," Gai said as he began to tear up as well. "We must part ways now, but soon we shall be reunited and we'll find ourselves even stronger than before!"
"Gai-sensei!" Lee said, wiping his face with the back of his hands. Finally he embraced his dear teacher in front of an imaginary sunset. The clouds turned orange as a wide ocean crashed upon the rock they stood upon. But back in reality, the other three Jounins were exchanging confused looks between one another. "Good-bye....Gai-sensei!!"
"Until we meet again...my Lee!"
---
"So do you expect they know?" Kurenai asked as Kakashi picked up one of the spheres. "Were we really able to pull it off?"
"I don't think they suspect anything," Kakashi answered, examining the object. He looked as the number "12" on the ball vanished in a puff of smoke. "No, they probably think that they were actually paired up randomly."
"Quite a few interesting teams, wouldn't you say?" Asuma said, looking from one to the other. The other teachers made slight noises from under clenched mouths before finally bursting out in laughter. A few grabbed their sides while others tried to balance themselves on the box in the room. Asuma removed his cigarette after nearly choking.
"All that garbage you said to convince them this was necessary!" Kurenai said, wiping away a tear from all the laughing. "You're terrible, Kakashi."
After regaining his composure, Kakashi stretched his arms and then placed them in his pockets. He said, "This is going to be an interesting month indeed."
---